It's the season of giving... let's give that some thought.
At this time of year we can become very centered on all the "stuff" we need to have a wonderful holiday. Our culture revolves around the ideology of "making lists and checking them twice, trying to find out who's naughty or nice."The thought being if you've behaved you will be rewarded. What if we are generous regardless of how a person has behaved, what if we are generous with no attachment to an outcome, no judgement.
In his poem The Guest House, Rumi speaks of treating all our daily experiences, good or bad, as honored guests:
Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight...
What if we treat each person we meet as an honored guest, I wonder how our lives would change? In the days ahead practice cultivating a spirit of generosity and treat each person you meet as an honored and revered guest. Extend yourself by smiling or being friendly, offer a hand to someone in need, listen to someone who just needs to be heard. Treat the people in your life with kindness and compassion and do it all with no expectation of something in return.
These are the greatest acts of generosity we can give. It's not a package under a tree that changes lives, it's a gift from within that you share with another honored guest that can be life-changing.
Namaste and happy holidays!
margaret
